by Mike Churchill © 2007, All Rights Reserved

Most people are familiar with dental assistants because of encounters while having a cavity filled, an impression taken or some other procedure. What most don't realize is dental assistants do much more than handing the dentist instruments.

Depending on where you work and what size the practice is, your duties can vary. While dental assistant training was primarily provided on the job in years past, an increasing number of programs are now available that offer training prior to job application. Prior training has changed the landscape of this career path in that it now allows dental offices to hire employees who are better qualified.

Let's review a few of the responsibilities someone with dental assistant training might expect to perform during a normal workweek. For the purpose of this example, I'll use the city of St. Louis. College graduates in dental assisting might:

Assist the Dentist

As discussed above, a dental assistant will be asked to assist the dentist during various procedures. Handing off instruments, preparing and providing dental materials, offering suction and otherwise assisting the dentist while making the patient as comfortable as possible are some of the duties a dental assistant will perform.

Perform Office Duties

In St. Louis, college graduates with dental assistant training may have administrative responsibilities. Scheduling of appointments, patient and insurance billing and purchasing might fall into your job description. In addition, dental assistants may be asked to oversee OSHA compliance, ensuring the practice stays within regulatory standards.

Assist the Patient

While procedures a dental assistant may perform are regulated on a state-by-state basis, dental assistants may be expected to take and develop X-rays of patients' mouths. They may also be asked to remove sutures or otherwise assist patients in achieving good dental health.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Job prospects for dental assistants should be excellent. Employment is expected to grow much faster than average for all occupations through the year 2014. In fact, dental assisting is expected to be one of the fastest growing occupations over the 2004-14 projection period." (See http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos163.htm)

This Bureau also reports almost all dental assistants work in dental offices. Approximately half work full-time and the remaining half work part-time, sometimes for more than one practice.

If you like to help people and you work well on your own, as well as part of a team, dental assistant training might be a career path you want to look further into.

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